HEALTHCARE
Diarrhea illness numbers double in Ohio as experts still seek source
Samantha HendricksonColumbus Dispatch
July 23, 2026, 5:41 p.m. ET
- Ohio’s cyclosporiasis cases doubled in the past week as the nationwide outbreak rages on.
- There is still no confirmed source for the outbreak.
As health officials keep trying to unravel the mystery of a cyclosporaed 2,500
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of July 21, is reporting over 4,000 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by the parasite cyclospora cayatenensis, which enters the gut after someone eats food or drinks water contaminated by feces
Actual case count is likely over 10,000, as state and local health departments release their own reports. Michigan alone, the leading state in case count, is reporting over 7,600
The Ohio Department of Health reported over 2,500 cases of the illness known for causing “explosive” diarrhea on July 23, more than double the 1,200 reported the previous week
The CDC recently determined that the Ohio outbreak started on May 1
Health officials have warned people to take the illness seriously and seek medical treatment if they think they have the illness
There is currently no end in site to the outbreak. Case have been reported in 41 states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration apologized for decrying the farms over “false positive” test results in lettuce linked to Taylor Farms, a produce supplier based in Mexico. While Mexican health officials maintain there is no evidence to suggest the parasite outbreak originated on those farms, the country is “taking all precautions.”
The FDA is still investigating Taylor Farms as a possible outbreaks in the clear
Risks and warnings around cyclosporiasis
Cyclosporiasis isn’t passed from person to person, rather it comes from consuming food or water that’s come into contact with feces and thrives in the human stomach. It typically spreads through contaminated irrigation systems, or water runoff that enters a field. However, there is currently no risk of getting cyclosporiasis from treated water
Elderly people, children, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions, especially those with kidney issues should take extra precaution as the symptoms can present even greater health challenges to them, health experts told The Dispatch
Other more common symptoms, besides the diarrhea, include:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Increased gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
Health experts are advising people to seek medical care so they can get tested and start antibiotics. Cyclosporiasis is typically treated with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is sold as Bactrim, Cotrim and Septra
Anyone with the illness should be vigilant about hydrating, resting and keeping electrolyte levels up
Business and consumer issues reporter Samantha Hendrickson can be reached at shendrickson@dispatch.com
